One of the major things you can do to stop your Gastroesophageal reflux disease from occuring as often is to stop smoking. Smoking is a major cause of gerd as it has the annoying habit of relaxing the patients sphincter muscles. These muscles are the muscles that usually stop stomach acid from entering the esophagus. Smoking also dries out the saliva in the mouth and in the throat and saliva is usually a natural neutralizer of stomach acid and it helps with the digestive process. Alcohol also increases the acid in your stomach. Cutting out or even reducing your consumption of alcohol can go along way to helping cure your GERD.

Just like some foods are harmful for people with Gastroesophageal reflux disease, other foods are very helpful. The right fruit can help control stomach acid. Foods like apples and bananas are helpful. Dried fruit like figs and apricots work well. Pineapple is good as it’s rich in the enzymes which help with the digestive process. Make sure that your fresh fruit really is as fresh as possible.

A good diet goes a long way in helping cure your Gastroesophageal reflux disease. Cutting out fatty or deep fried food will make a huge difference in your condition. Before you change anything drastic in your diet or take any sort of medication herbal or western, please consult your doctor first.

For many people the simplest step to take on how to stop GERD is by making a life style change. This will be the first step that most doctors will recommend before medicinal treatments. Eating smaller meals, limiting the amount of acidic food and drinks that are consumed, stay sitting or standing for two hours after a meal, lay with your head elevated. These are life style changes that anyone can make to help stop GERD.

How to stop GERD with food? Did you know that over 90% of people that suffer from GERD can link their symptoms to specific foods? Learning what foods are your triggers and avoiding them will help eliminate the symptoms associated with GERD. Not only are there foods that are triggers, but there are also safe foods a person that suffers from GERD can eat.

There are also over the counter medications a person can take. These tablets basically work by neutralizing the acid in the stomach. Antacids are another over the counter medication that helps on contact to neutralize stomach acid.

In case the over the counter medications are not strong enough, you doctor may recommend a prescribed way on how to stop GERD. This can include prescription medications, which help to stop the release of any acid into the stomach. There are also prescribed medications that help to speed up the digestive process.

Other “how to stop GERD” options include two medical procedures. One way is the Nissen Fundoplicatoin. This is a laparoscopic procedure where the surgeon goes in and creates a new valve that separates the esophagus from the stomach. Basically what happens is that the surgeon will wrap the upper part of the stomach around the lowest port of the esophagus.

The other medical procedure is known as the Stretta procedure. Radiofrequency is used to send energy to the lower part of the esophagus and the upper part of the stomach to improve function.

The important factor right now is knowing that you no longer have to suffer with the uncomfortable, bitter symptoms of GERD. Talk with your doctor about the above mentioned options as well as any other option he or she may have for you on how to stop GERD.

There are a variety of treatments for GERD sufferers ranging from dietary/ lifestyle changes to surgery.

In some cases a change in lifestyle can significantly reduce the impact of GERD.

Acid reflux can cause considerable damage during sleep when a person is lying flat. It is is advisable for GERD sufferers to sleep in a bed tha can be elevated at top or a bed that has been propped up by blocks. By sleeping with the upper body raised, gravity can help to prevent the flow of stomach acid into the esophagus. The symptoms can also by eased by eating at least 2 hours before going to bed and by avoiding ‘over-eating’ (i.e. eating unnecessarily large portions of food).

Changes in diet can also help to reduce the symptoms of GERD. It has been found that certain foods alter the pressure in the lower esophagal sphincter allowing stomach acid flow into the esophagus. These foods include: food with a high fat content/ fried foods, peppermint, chocolate and drinks containing caffine. Certain other foods can aggravate the symptoms of GERD including: acid fruits, spicy foods and pickled foods.

Smoking is believed to reduce the lower esophagal sphincter’s strength causing to allow the stomach’s contents to enter into the esophagus. The saliva which is produced to help the esophagus to clear acid can be decreased by the nicotine in cigarettes, hence, leaving the esophagus open to acid attack.

Likewise, alcohol can aggrevate the symptoms of GERD by weakening the esophagus’s contractions and this allowing acidic liquid to enter into the esophagus.. Drug therapy may in, some cases, be a necessary, GERD treatment. Some sufferers will be medically advised to avail of over the counter antacids. In other instances, specific drugs such as H2 blockers may be prescribed.

Surgery is likely to be advised in instances where lifestyle/ diet changes and drug therapy have failed to get the symptoms under control. It may also be recommended to people whose muscle sphincter is not functioning properly and those who have developed esophageal cancer.

Fundoplication is the main type of surgery used in GERD treatement. It involves strengthening the valve between the esophagus and the stomach. As seen above there a range of options available to people wishing to limit the impact of GERD on their life. It is, however, strongly advised to seek medical advice before embarking on any course of action in relation to GERD treatment.

During Nissen Fundoplication surgery the fundus (the upper part of the stomach) is placed around the esophagus to help to strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter(LES). The LES is a ring of muscle situated at the bottom of the esophagus that acts as a valve to keep food and liquid in the stomach. GERD occurs when this muscle becomes weakened or begins to open spasmodically. GERD surgery is aimed at preventing the stomach’s contents from coming into contact with the esophagus.

There are 2 types of Nissen Fundoplication surgery: open and laproscopic.

- In open Nissen Fundoplication surgery a relatively large incisions are made. The fundus is then wrapped around the esophagus and sewn into place. The aim is that this will put pressure on the LES assisting it to prevent acidic matter reaching the esophagus.

- In Laproscopic Nissen Fundoplication the abdomen is usually punctured 4-5 times to facilitate the insertion of a telescopic camera and surgical instruments. The same procedure as open Fundoplication is then carried out.

Like all surgical procedures GERD surgery carries risk. In addition, to the risks of anesthesia, there can be problems associated with how the stomach has been wrapped around the esophagus (i.e. too tightly or too high up the esophagus) and the esophagus can move out of position which means that the LES ceases to be supported. For these and other reasons, there is a possibility that heartburn could return and that gas build up could cause discomfort and bloating.

GERD surgery can provide some relief to patients who have been experiencing severe pain and discomfort. It is not, however, guarenteed to provide a complete cure to the problem. Anyone considering this surgery should make their decision in consultation with a surgeon who is experienced in performing GERD surgery.

At present, GERD is a long-term condition that cannot be completely cured. However, it can usually be effectiviely managed through lifestyle changes and/ or medication.

Lifestyle changes involve things such as: cutting out food and drinks that can exacerbate reflux such as caffeine, carbonated drinks, acidic, spicy or fatty food and chocolate; losing weight (if necessary) giving up smoking, refraining from eating 2-3 hours before going to bed, eating smaller, regular meals and sleeping with the top part of the body elevated.

Whilst medication doesn’t tend to completely cure GERD, it can be relatively sucessful in alleviating discomfort and reducing the level of damage being done to the esophagus. For some people the doctor will recommend non-prescription antacids. People who experience the symptoms of GERD on regular basis or whose symptoms are very severe may need to be prescribed stronger medications.

If lifestyle changes and medication do not relieve the symptoms of GERD, surgery may be suggested. The surgery that is usually carried out on GERD patients is Nissen Fundoplication. During this procedure the fundus (the top part of the stomach) is wrapped around the esophagus and sewn into place. This reduces the chance of stomach acid entering the espophagus. This procedure can be carried out by open or laparoscopic surgery. Although such surgery can reduce a patient’s symptoms, it can not be viewed as a complete cure for GERD.

The uncomfortable and painful nature of the symptoms of GERD leads sufferers on a quest to find a cure for this condition. Unfortunately, there is not form of treatment that can guarentee an erradication of this disease. Effective management of the symptoms is the most that the majority of GERD sufferers can hope to achieve. For some, lifestyle changes will be all that will be reuired to keep to symptoms uner control. For others some of medication will be required and for people suffering severe GERD symptoms, surgery may be necessary. In the absence of a drug or a surgical procedure that can guarentee to totally cure GERD, sufferers should consult with their Physician to review regularly their treatment plan, to ensure that their symptoms are being managed as effectively as possible.